**After Years of Waiting, Channel View Regeneration Finally Progresses for Grangetown Residents**
Residents of the Channel View housing estate in Grangetown, Cardiff, are finally seeing tangible progress toward the long-promised transformation of their homes, after waiting nearly a decade for major improvements. The estate, once the subject of concerns about deteriorating conditions, including persistent damp and mould, has remained in limbo since initial plans for redevelopment were announced by Cardiff Council in 2016.
The council had informed residents of the 13-storey tower block and surrounding flats nearly nine years ago that their homes would be demolished and replaced with modern, purpose-built apartments. However, for years afterwards, locals saw little more than promises and planning meetings, with some expressing frustration over the slow pace and ongoing issues with their housing.
Momentum finally began building in 2022, when outline planning permission was granted for a comprehensive redevelopment of the Channel View site. The plan aims to deliver up to 319 new apartments and houses across several construction phases, ensuring vital improvements to the area’s housing stock and facilities.
Recent developments signal that the first stage of this ambitious scheme is now well underway. Phase one will see the creation of 126 new council flats intended to replace the existing high-rise block, according to Cardiff Council’s cabinet member for housing and communities, Councillor Lynda Thorne. She confirmed that work is “moving along very well,” with completion of one of the new blocks expected as soon as next year.
Earlier this year, the council gave formal approval for the demolition of three properties on Channel View Road, clearing the path for construction work to begin. Phase one focuses in particular on providing modern, independent living flats for residents aged over 50. The new development will also feature a community café, communal gardens, allotments and picnic areas, all aimed at fostering a thriving and inclusive local environment.
Throughout the planning and construction process, the council says it has maintained close communication with Channel View residents. All current tower block tenants are reportedly being offered apartments in the revitalised development when it opens. Cllr Thorne remarked, “We know they are very much looking forward to living there,” and local residents even played a role in naming the new blocks: Ty Y Dorlan (Block A) and Trem y Mor (Block B).
Feedback from locals has been gathered during recent consultations about the later phases of the wider regeneration project—phases two to six—which are expected to proceed through the planning system over the coming months. These consultations are intended to ensure the evolving project continues to reflect the needs and wishes of those who live in Channel View.
Currently, the concrete frame of Trem y Mor (Block B) is already complete, with work progressing on the exterior. This particular building will offer 24 independent living flats, which are scheduled for completion in the coming year. Meanwhile, groundwork has started on Ty Y Dorlan (Block A), which is planned to host 102 community living apartments by 2027.
The regeneration project has also had to adapt to evolving building safety regulations. Cardiff Council approved changes to the design of Block B in June 2024 to meet the latest fire safety standards. As a result, the block will now be six storeys tall rather than eight as originally planned, and the proposed ‘green walls’—which would have promoted biodiversity and improved air quality—have been omitted from the final design. Nevertheless, the overall number of new flats remains unchanged.
Ultimately, for the long-standing residents of Channel View, the new construction signals not simply the end of years spent in inadequate accommodation, but the beginning of a new chapter for the estate. The council’s evolving plans, paired with ongoing resident engagement, suggest a renewed commitment to building a community that is safer, healthier and more welcoming for all. As the cranes and builders busily continue their work, anticipation is building for the day when former tower block residents can finally move into the new homes they have awaited for so long.